The Inclusive Economy and Culture Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to discuss the Supporting Our Town Centres to Thrive report, which detailed initiatives and data for Woolwich, Greenwich, and Eltham. The panel was also set to receive an update from the Cabinet Member for Culture, Equalities and Leisure and review future reports scheduled for discussion.

Supporting Our Town Centres to Thrive

The panel was scheduled to consider a report on the Supporting Our Town Centres to Thrive initiative, which is part of the Council's Getting Things Done agenda. This report aimed to provide an update on efforts to strengthen town centre partnerships, enhance local collaboration, and support vibrant, resilient, and sustainable high streets. It was also intended to include updates from newly appointed Town Centre Managers regarding their delivery approach, priorities, and initial impact.

The report included a Town Centre Health Dashboard presenting data for Woolwich, Greenwich, and Eltham. For Woolwich, it noted a 7% increase in footfall and an 18% increase in spend index compared to the previous year, though it also highlighted a 13% vacancy rate. Greenwich saw a 7% footfall increase and a 1% spend index increase, with a low vacancy rate of 3.4%. Eltham experienced a 5% decrease in footfall but a 6% increase in spend index, with a vacancy rate of 7.3%. International visitor growth was strong across all three centres, with Eltham showing the largest increase at 66%.

The Getting Things Done programme, launched in October 2025 with £2.1 million in funding over five years, aims to improve town centres through various initiatives. These include tackling fly-tipping, increasing staffing for cleanup, appointing new Town Centre Managers, and providing additional support for the Community Safety Team. The report detailed monthly Town Centre Management and Maintenance (TCMM) meetings, which serve as a forum for strategic oversight and issue resolution. A new town centre issues tracker was also introduced to monitor and address problems across Eltham, Greenwich, and Woolwich.

Specific initiatives for Woolwich included addressing cleanliness in Beresford Square, reviewing solutions for street drinking and anti-social behaviour, and upgrading bench maintenance. The Legible London project was underway to improve signage, and promotional efforts for Beresford Square Market aimed to support microbusinesses. £250,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding was allocated to enhance cleansing operations. The Destination Woolwich campaign was ongoing, and the Woolwich Summer Lates programme, supported by the Mayor of London's Summer Streets Fund, featured events like live screenings and sporting activations. Plans were also in place to establish a Woolwich Town Centre Partnership.

For Eltham, the report highlighted the use of UKSPF funding for the Eltham Weekender and Heritage Quest programmes in Autumn 2025 to animate the town centre. The Enjoy Eltham brand was developed in collaboration with local stakeholders to promote the town centre. The Eltham Town Centre Partnership was formally launched on 21 July 2026, with the aim of supporting future Business Improvement District (BID) proposals.

In Greenwich, efforts to support the town centre's vitality included the establishment of an Itinerant Ice Cream Trader Task and Finish Group to manage concerns related to trading practices and public realm impacts. The Greenwich Town Centre Partnership was scheduled for launch on 10 September 2026, with similar aims to those in Woolwich and Eltham. The Young Market Traders Regional Final was hosted in Greenwich, and a programme of work was underway to review future options for heritage telephone boxes. The Cutty Sark Gardens Redevelopment Programme was progressing, focusing on enhancing the public realm and its connection to maritime heritage. The Business Watch Radio Scheme, which links businesses to the Council's CCTV Control Centre, had been expanded to Eltham and Greenwich. A review of the Street Entertainment policy was also being undertaken to enhance the quality and range of street performances.

The report also discussed investment in town centres, noting significant regeneration in Woolwich, including the impact of the Elizabeth Line and various housing and commercial developments. Greenwich Town Centre was reclassified as a Major Centre in the draft Local Plan, with low vacancy rates and continued investor interest. Eltham Town Centre also showed strong business confidence, with low vacancy rates and new openings, including PADEL Eltham.

The panel was also scheduled to consider the potential establishment of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Woolwich, Eltham, and Greenwich. A feasibility study and stakeholder engagement programme were commissioned to assess the viability of this approach, with findings expected in mid-September 2026.

Cabinet Member Update

The panel was scheduled to receive a verbal update from Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Equalities and Leisure, on strategic priorities, emerging issues, and key developments within their portfolio.

Commissioning of Future Reports

The panel was asked to note the work items scheduled for the Inclusive Economy and Culture Scrutiny Panel meeting on 29 October 2026. These included a review of Visit Greenwich to assess visitor numbers and key trends, and a Cabinet Member Update for the Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives portfolio. The panel was invited to consider the scope of these forthcoming reports and specify any detailed requirements.

The meeting was scheduled to take place in Committee Rooms 4 & 5, Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich SE18 6PW. The meeting was open to the press and public, with provisions for filming and recording.